MK2 Firefrost Red V6 Saloon
 

Ok guys, as you may have seen I've recently decided to move my XPG saloon on as she wasn't seeing much of the road. I didn't really want to sell up but it's a shame to keep a perfectly good car sitting around unused, especially one as nice as her.

Now, I didn't have any plans to buy another ZS, or any other car in fact, but after a bit of late night browsing (and a few beers if I'm honest) I stumbled across this on an MG sales page -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstkxicovq.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd4wcigdf.jpg

I absolutely adore the Firefrost Red MG/R colour, it's my all time favourite, so I guess you can probably see how this was going to pan out.

To be fair, I was going to do a bit of saving and buy a project car to play with after Christmas, but seeing as I don't currently have a project I thought why not. Ive driven many cars but nothing delivers the bang for buck that the ZS does. Nothing really comes close for the money you can pick one of these up for.

Anyway, a five hour round trip last weekend and she was mine -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdijetd7k.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psuv3jtpay.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psyfrs4cd7.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskibvj7f0.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfm08h1mv.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszyqc8kxs.jpg

She's low milage and completely standard and unmolested, barring a sheddist clutch kit and a few dark ice designs bits. It's a nice blank canvas for me to start with.

There wasn't too much service history with the car but I'm not too worried on that front as I think this'll be a full strip down restoration.

I've already made a start last weekend on that front. Here's some pictures -

Front bumper off -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswobifq0y.jpg

Headlights out and N/S wing off -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswuiszv4p.jpg

N/S skirt off -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5ys7ecf4.jpg

Rear bumper off -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0wa1ruep.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspuba3wap.jpg

O/S skirt off -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pst2fpxl3a.jpg

O/S wing off -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnbpt8ri8.jpg

So far so good. Next up I decided to degrease and clean the underside of the car so I could take a look at the general condition and check for any rust.

O/S under arch cleaned -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0mz0fzsj.jpg

N/S under arch cleaned -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psm8c1iwln.jpg

Floorpan cleaned -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa1lxjsrw.jpg

Jacking points -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvz7borid.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pslncuv2cy.jpg

Surface rust and some pitting but most importantly they passed the screw driver test, no holes !

O/S rear under arch cleaned -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psng7dhxia.jpg

N/S under arch cleaned -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psjxeus8pi.jpg

Rear end cleaned -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psls7x0d7u.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseoio9vh7.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psezytjt9g.jpg

All in all I was pretty pleased, not too much rust and no holes. I did however discover an oil leak, I'll get back to this though.

Into the garage she went -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmt8futg2.jpg

And up on axle stands -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskgny3btm.jpg

Back to the oil leak, traced it to the dipstick oil tube -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstkgrpjjh.jpg

Appeared to be coming from the bung that the tube sits in -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshbzmpdvs.jpg

So I went online and ordered a new replacement from rimmer brothers -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9cbk6pud.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pssiefwcxz.jpg

And got to work removing the old one. A lot easier said then done, involved a large flat head screwdriver and some long nose pliers. Come out in the end though -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnuv4hs1a.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc24sonuw.jpg

New one fitted and we now have no oil leaks -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3gem17ck.jpg

To be continued in another post.

Continued.

Back to the bodywork, I stripped the running gear both sides until I was left with the drive shafts and lower arms -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc0u1p2nz.jpg

And then removed the front frame, ARB and the steering rack. I'll have the frame and ARB powdercoated -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2pbdtf2a.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6mf9sygj.jpg

Various brackets removed ready to be powder coated, was thinking X Power Green but I'll make a decision on colour when I get down to the shop -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvrn72j4y.jpg

With all that out the way it meant I could get started wire brushing. Here's the N/S cleaned up back to bare metal where it needed to be and hand sanded to provide a key elsewhere -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psacj9w2pa.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psduwrsjsu.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdvcg5arr.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswauoacpl.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnpimv2mn.jpg

Jacking point after a good wire brushing, nice and solid -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psennkacai.jpg

And Zinc primed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszniv18tj.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psna9ym82l.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psm6yn6gre.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pst1k5emlz.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psff0ybapz.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1eckmoaq.jpg

Well, that's all the work up until today. Will be back at it again tomorrow, the drivers side awaits the same treatment !

Jay.

Wow! You don't hang about! Wasn't expecting that.

Always a pleasure to looki such project didplay. Good job!

Top work!
You're making me feel guilty for not doing this to mine!

After xpg that is my favourite colour on a my2.very nice indeed

Love firefrost and more great work going on there, some attention to detail you have bud! Itching for your next update already!

You are far too keen, puts the rest of us to shame.

wow that was one of the shortest "leaving the folds" i think weve had. just shows how much these cars get under your skin. so is this nightfire red or firefrost red, im a bit confused?

Got the drivers side wire brushed and Zinc primed today, was a hard slog given the little amount of space I have to actually work on the car but got it done all the same.

So, here's the under arch wire brushed back to bare metal where it needed to be and block sanded back else where -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psznrckedd.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psv9ukivgb.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnqen4zxr.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshc5ljgvf.jpg

And then covered in a few coats of Zinc primer -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pslalpaqw8.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqgnlwfpe.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9nsstroo.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswhi65z5n.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psjgzguygq.jpg

Not the best pictures but it's difficult to take anything decent in such limited space.

Anyway that's all the work I've got done thus far, will be back at it again next weekend !

Jay.

Hopefully looking at getting it back on the road ready for Pride Of Longbridge next year, so I want to get the body and running gear done as soon as possible before the winter sets in. Don't fancy a cold garage floor in December :no: !

Thanks bud !

Cheers,

It's a long tedious job but worth the results in the end.

Cheers bud,

Yeh, it's a great colour !

Thanks Gary.

Tend to get a bit carried away when I get stuck in, all necessary work in my eyes though !

Knew I had the name of the colour wrong, it's Firefrost red, paint code CEV.

Not too sure if I can change the title of this thread though, will have a look see.

Cheers buddy !

Welcome back ... :laugh:

Welcome back mate, love the Firefrostnessnessness :D

Hats off to you mate . your putting a lot of hard work into that . Gotta say firefrost is an amazing colour I love mine when its been cleaned and polished .

Wow that was a short time period not having a ZS... you know how to give some car more than just TLC!

Got some more done on the ZS this weekend, I'll start with the seam sealing.

Here's the N/S taped up ready for the seam sealer to be applied -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4zgqttwx.jpg

Seam sealer applied -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6f3dli82.jpg

Worked in, smoothed off and tape removed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1vezzdzq.jpg

Jacking point sealed up too -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshvwxavbn.jpg

Rinse and repeat for the O/S, taped up -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstpzlnreq.jpg

Seam sealer applied -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0rk0qbrc.jpg

Smoothed off and tape removed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psjmwxonnm.jpg

I also removed the air con and coolant rads today. I've wire brushed and sanded back the front valence too -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3g8xeb0k.jpg

Masked up around the valence -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfqdmzbj6.jpg

And Zinc primed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psykretzbf.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbohsq5ku.jpg

I also painted behind it too but I couldn't get a decent picture of that.

I've begun stripping down the running gear so I can refurb the lot, here's the N/S bottom arm stripped and wire brushed back to bare metal -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8wwmm4yq.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstigveitk.jpg

The bushes are fine so I masked up around them. Anything that's got a bush in it I'll refurb myself, the rest will go off to be blasted and coated.

Zinc primed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psjbdozcrk.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseoubgzsx.jpg

And painted black -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqxtdw93c.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pso7hawcyw.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7ugusmjr.jpg

I'll leave that to dry for a few days now as the paint takes a while to properly cure.

I've also stripped down the damper and spring assemblies -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmdx7ywg3.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqdxmupfl.jpg

The dampers will be kept as they're fine, the forks refurbished and the springs will be replaced as I'm going to get a set of lowering springs from Moto-Build. I've read a few reviews and they seem to be favourable so far.

And finally, these are the bits going to the powder coaters tomorrow -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgwplhbww.jpg

Jay.

Lmao, didn't last long I know !

Thanks bud !

Cheers bud,

Firefrost is brilliant, looks amazing in the sun, really makes the flake pop !

Thanks mate,

Have to say, out of the cars I've sold in the past, the XPG ZS I had was the one I missed the most, so when this one popped up I couldn't resist !

Been in the garage again this weekend, got a few more hours in on the ZS.

Gave both the under arches a few coats of Gravigard -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psy22vnyfs.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psoz3nkvbq.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0sklwouc.jpg

And the Valence too -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pso9hnbsns.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskus7zhxp.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstqbiafhf.jpg

I made sure to give that a good 24 hours to dry, even though it says ready to over paint in 3-4 hours, as Gravigard can be a bit temperamental if you try to paint over it too quickly. Learnt that the hard way !

Now, I usually buy my top coat paint from halfords when I'm doing jobs like this. It's not the best paint in the world or even the best colour match, but it's cheap, easy to get hold of and is substantial enough for what I need it to do. For some reason or other they don't sell any paint in my colour code so they offered to mix me some up. I've done this before and it didn't end well !

So, instead, I bought some Firefrost Red paint from a seller called Paints4U on eBay and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with it -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4xtkxuey.jpg

Got the N/S painted up -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse3f22t0u.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1xrdamkn.jpg

Valence too -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psiqlkx9gz.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps863ltdra.jpg

Ran out of paint at that though as I only bought the one can to try.

Let the base coat tack off and then laid some clear coat lacquer over the top -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psxeeqbcsf.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psw4rkpnnw.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfkdikmmt.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7j4nmiaj.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszmiy3o5l.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pstkesnrs8.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psaxymemix.jpg

I'm quite happy with the outcome of that. A fair few layers of protection on there now so should see the car rust free for the foreseeable future I hope !

Finally, I bought some stainless steel Janspeed manifolds from a chap on this forum. I received them on Friday and I'm very pleased with them -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdkiqpct1.jpg

I'm going to give them a soak in some Bilt Hambers Deox-C for a day or two which should clean them up nicely, then I'll give them a good polish.

Jay.

Only got the one day in the garage this weekend, still got a bit done though.

Base coat laid down on drivers side -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseofd08lz.jpg

Let that tack off and then laid down some clear coat -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbdkyett0.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbat8ftdp.jpg

Also got some base coat on the passenger side turret/front leg -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshypge1a4.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psv5nelsrf.jpg

I'm not going to apply any clear coat to that yet though as I've decided I want to do the whole turret so it all blends in together. Will do this when I've taken the engine out though as I'll have more room. Will be a lot easier for me to change the belts and what not with it out too.

Finally, I bought some Deox C and left the manifolds to soak in it for 24 Hours.

This is the tub it comes in if anyone was wondering -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psttxlavbo.jpg

I forgot to take photos when I took the manifolds out but I can tell you it works a treat. Completely clean and all the corrosion from the flanges was removed.

I was owed a favour for a bit of paint correction I did a while back, so I had him polish up the headers for me with his machine. Here they are -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6xlty4id.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdhff9n2o.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psskkxfzpj.jpg

I was going to get the Y-Piece done also but upon closer inspection the threads in one of the oxygen sensor holes has been completely destroyed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgwqbvsgw.jpg

Not the best picture but gives you an idea. Annoyed by this but it is repairable. I'm going to take it down to an exhaust specialist near me and have the damaged lug cut off and have a new one tig welded on.

Jay.

Speechless jay at the level your taking this to. Thanks for the updates, subscribed :thumbsup:

I know plume on the Stratford road will weld a new boss in for a lambda for £40 if that's any use.

That is some good work. Especially on the manifolds.

Bit more done on the ZED today.

Decided to paint the whole front end. Wasn't going to bother as the paint from the factory was still in pretty good condition but thought why not, it'll all help to keep the rust away.

Sanded back with some coarse 3M pads and then finished of with some 2000 grit wet and dry along the top panel to provide a nice smooth surface ready for some base coat -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1aosqscl.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshkegvk0z.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2nqm5joz.jpg

That bit took ages and I now have quite a sore thumb. With jobs like this though it's in the prep where it counts !

Base coat down -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psy9feq9rl.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4vzhdaq9.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps62ld75m4.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshwcbbucv.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmqmvj7dc.jpg

And then a few coats of clear lacquer -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswes1s6jr.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pst5wfuckq.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psr5xvf9uk.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspnbcpgeb.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psj9gktd7q.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psywph5qaw.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psmubanogm.jpg

Quite happy with the outcome of today's work. Didn't manage to get the turrets done though as it was getting quite late by the time I'd finished that and light was fading. Job for next weekend !

Went to the my local scrap yard yesterday and managed to get a few bits too -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6hka6hbc.jpg

All quite sought after bits for just a few copper coins. I would've had the Black Oak dash fascia too but whoever went in the car before me had broken it in half, such a shame !

If anyone's got the dash fascia in black oak they want to part with then feel free to drop me a PM with a price.

Anyway, that's this weekends progress.

Jay.

Thanks bud,

I'll take a look into that !

Cheers Dan,

Very happy with them.

mr janspeed would be very proud of you!!

Can you not get the thread/hole helicoiled??

More progress made this weekend.

To start with though, got a few bits back from the powder coaters -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqrx1utv3.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psulrn7hc7.jpg

And I bought some poly bushes for the anti roll bar -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4ps16qvj.jpg

Onto the car, dropped the engine out -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psklhvjhgr.jpg

And then got to work on painting up the turrets/legs. Sanded back the lot -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8vk7erjm.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psee6kpcyn.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspgk6on6e.jpg

Base coat down -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnwsrnj6c.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psolgaulfu.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvveuoz0p.jpg

And then a few coats of clear coat -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvhu5dfpw.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psojcdpoo7.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psudlkgsdn.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1lsbsggx.jpg

Left that to dry and got to work refurbishing the steering rack, here it is painted up -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8bhmjcka.jpg

And bolted back onto the frame ready to go back onto the car -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnjla4mkr.jpg

The track rod ends feel fine so I decided to keep them, easy enough to change later down the line if need be anyway.

Jay.

Cheers bud,

I do have a helicoil kit, may give it a go !

Been back in the garage again this weekend. Didn't manage to get much done last weekend though as I was out picking up various bits and pieces I need to get the ZS finished.

Managed to get another under engine tray as mine was missing, I suspect it was taken off due to the oil leak and never put back on. Also got hold of an O/S arch liner as mine was broken, just need the N/S now as that's broken too -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pssordp7xz.jpg

I seen a complete Black Oak dash assembly on a Facebook for sale page for a reasonable price so I didn't waste any time in purchasing that, here it is -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshp63dopd.jpg

And also sourced a new cup/pen holder insert and a flocked glove box too -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psynmgrmcx.jpg

All bits that'll give the car a bit more of a 'premium' feel if you like.

Anyway, onto this weekends work. I decided to start refurbishing some of the running gear. I wasn't happy with the paint finish the enamel paint on the passenger side bottom arm had left, so I decided to re-do it with some Aerosol satin black. Same goes for the drivers side too.

Wire brushed them both back to bare metal and then zinc primed -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pszkkcptz2.jpg

Painted -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psajmbqopn.jpg

And back together again ready to go back onto the car -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psxla1edwi.jpg

Got the subframe refitted back onto the car, a real pig to get the steering column splines lined up but got it done in the end -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psh0kae8rg.jpg

Fitted the bottom arms back onto the car -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfbixbphe.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskfc4iagy.jpg

And then waxed the cavities and under arches with this stuff. S-50 for the cavities and UC to provide a protective clear wax film for the under arches-

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa5jwob9v.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8ywfpsza.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps95ifgbby.jpg

I've also started refitting various brackets and what not -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbq3yhmre.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psg5ohgzso.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psi7kkwcle.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscwm3qek9.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pst6ioi5gq.jpg

I know the green won't be to everyone's liking but I think it looks epic !

Should be ordering the lowering springs from Moto-Build next week, as well as new bearings and ball joints for the hubs as they're knackered, so shouldn't be too long until she's rolling again.

Jay.

Excellent work there, liking the detail. My mk1 was stripped nearly as far but wasn't worth the level of work you've put in.

Cheers Mick,

Should be worth all the work when she's done !

Think it's important to save the longbridge cars, what with MG ceasing production in the U.K and the amount of them that are being broken for parts, they'll all be a bit of history in the future.

Jay.

Coming on nicely as you say green not to every ones liking but think it just stands out a lot now and will look better when all back together

Cheers bud,

Done a few cars now and I always end up playing it safe and going with gloss black at the powder coaters.

Thought I'd do something a bit different this time with the green and I must say I love it !

There wont be any green on the outside of the car what so ever but under the car and in the engine bay there will be plenty !

Going well.

Anything else on the shopping list?

Cheers Dan,

There's still a decent sized list to get through, but to finish off the front end I'll need the following;

Lowering springs
New bearings & ball joints
Braided brake lines
Calliper rebuild kits
Discs & pads (recently been changed although not sure on brand or quality)
Alloys powder coated gloss black
Hankook Ventus tyre's or something along those lines
Both wings and bumper repainted (stone chips & I damaged the bottom of the O/S bodykit when removing it so will have to repair this)
New horn
Stainless Exhaust system (may go with Janspeed but not sure yet, need to do some more research on this)

And the list goes on. After that's done though it'll be belts, water pump, plugs, service and possible thermostat change before the engine goes back in.

Then just a case of spinning the car around and doing the same with the back end.

Jay.

Good man ....

Exterior stuff seems to be something you're really keen on. I'd look to get some alcantara seats in there and some chrome rings for the dials and vents (from a 45) would be good additions.

When you put the wheels back on after coating, paint the hubs and calipers?

Put it all back together ...... then sell it on ..... ? ;)

Already have the chrome vents from a 45, £3 for all four from my local breakers yard, bargain. Seat wise I think I'm going to go with a couple of nice bucket seats and some TAKATA harnesses, I'll remove the back seats entirely as they won't be needed and I'll make something to fill the hole they leave. I will keep the seats in storage though in case I ever want to use it for a family day out or something like that. This ZS will be more of a toy if I'm honest, for the shows and maybe even a couple of track days. Goes without saying that the hubs will be painted, calipers are with the powder coaters already, having them green too.

Truth is, I just can't be bothered with the hassle the seats will bring. I had a really clean PBT Black ZR before the XPG ZS and I did a similar thing with that, stripped it all back and painted the under arches, had various panels repainted and put all the nice bits on it, janspeed manis, full exhaust system, lowering springs etc... Spent a fortune on alcantara seats, then had to have the bolsters repaired and part of the alcantara replaced, was a nightmare trying to match the colour of the alcantara !

Looked good in the end though -

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psictbxujp.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...pskvtcc69u.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqgcbz66h.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psiqsvpzsl.jpg

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvhgsbcpf.jpg

Thing is though Dan, I get bored fairly quickly after I've finished the cars, then I end up selling them on and regretting it after, it's a vicious circle lmao !

Saving grace with the ZR though was my uncle bought it from me for my asking price no questions asked. Didn't even get close to what I'd put into it as you never do but he looks after it really well and I know there's always the possibility for me to buy it back if I ever want too.

I think this ZS will be a keeper though, think I've learnt my lesson now, but we'll see I suppose.

You need to top up the coolant on the ZS.

ZR looks good, didn't know they had a recycle switch, earlier ones used a lever.

Cheers bud,

Yeh they changed a few buttons and switches around on the MK2, much better layout imo.

Will flush the whole system through and refill with some quality coolant when the engines back in, no point doing it until then as it'll end up all over the floor.

Fair enough .... Don't get the whole buckets and harnesses thing unless the car is for track days only personally - but hey - each to their own.

£3 for the vents - bargain.

fair play, hats off to you!

Not for everyone I know, not even sure if they're for me yet. Part of the reason why I'll be keeping the standard seats. Besides, I can always pick up a set of leather seats in the future if I don't like the buckets, bound to be someone with a set somewhere.

Much prefer the full leathers to the alcantara, just my preference though.

Cheers bud.